The Master Parish Independent School
First Month of School Assessment: Emmie Parish
As our headmaster, who is also me, likes to say: “We feel like their other parent, because we are!” As we have been in constant communication the past few weeks, nothing below should be a surprise. Still, I find it helpful to share a more holistic portrait of a child’s progress in writing. Please reach out with any questions you may have over dinner.
Ms. M-P
P.S. This reminds me, please make sure our case of wine delivery is set to arrive, tonight, as planned. And that you’ve added bourbon to the order.
Overall Comments:
How has it only been a month since Emmie and my entire classroom arrived at our little school?! I realize the adjustment to a new academic setting can be challenging for everyone. I have great empathy for Emmie’s transition. She and her two siblings were an unexpected addition to my classroom. (As was I, ha ha!) I realize this was not Emmie’s first choice for school, having transferred mid-year from her previous school (which, I’m nearly constantly reminded, had chickens, a ‘twisty slide’ and her ‘favorite’ teacher, Mr. B).
Following Directions
This skill has been a struggle for Emmie. She needs frequent redirecting to be attentive and often requires at least four reminders during Health Class to clear her cereal bowl from the table before the oatmeal congeals. In other instances, she claims to not have heard the directions, yet conveniently comes running from another room if her peer is asking about snack choices. Also, it’s not like I’m asking her to walk through fire or teach a multi-level curriculum while helping to retrofit an educational nonprofit to provide real time professional development in a distance learning space or continue to meet ongoing freelance deadlines. I’m just asking her to take out a pen and draw a cartoon pig and elephant, for Christ’s sake.
Having a Positive Attitude
Such an abrupt transition can feel traumatic for a young child. What she is likely experiencing is grief, similar to any adult. I mean, one day you’re buying a plane ticket for a girls’ weekend to your friend’s lakehouse and the next day you’re bribing your kids into watching some old guy draw the iPad for 20 minutes so you can drink boxed wine, while crying in your room. A hypothetical example. The point is: Emmie is learning an important life lesson: we can’t get everything we want in life, but sometimes you need to shut up, smile and draw the damn elephant.
Being Prepared
Not to be indelicate, but there are some days when Emmie and her siblings have come to school still in pajamas and without having brushed their teeth. When I’ve broached the subject, they said their father let them sleep in. I know it is tempting to sleep in with the shorter school commute, but our jam-packed school schedule does not afford time for daily hygiene.
Being respectful to myself and others
I have been surprised by how much self confidence and self-assuredness she has for a young girl! A future essential worker, just like her father! Although sometimes, it does present as entitlement. During our Practical Life session, the students are expected to develop their fine motor skills by engaging with activities such as unpacking the dishwasher or folding laundry. (We use a Montessori method that is ‘hands on.’) Unfortunately, at times, Emmie is very resistant to this learning, saying to her teacher: “You do it, it’s your job” and also: “I’m not folding these stupid socks.” You can reference our text chain for other examples. April 3 and the ‘Can I just write ‘I hate Mommy’ 50 times, instead?’’ thread, in particular, was emblematic of the overall tone.
Cooperating with others
Emmie is by far the most advanced student in our school, which offers one classroom serving preK1 through 1st grade As such, I look to Emmie as a leader and role model. Unfortunately, at times she struggles to play cooperatively with her fellow students. She seems to be in constant competition with our Kindergarten student, and will, for example, preemptively take the Elsa plate at snack time, knowing her peer will want it. She also seems to gravitate toward the sensory table, which was set up to entertain our youngest student for even five minutes while I’m attempting to deliver instruction to the other grades and participate in a Zoom call. Anyway, sharing and not monopolizing the baby’s toys is a target learning area for us next quarter.
Additional Comments:
Given the constrained budgets of small, independent schools in this climate, I wear multiple hats, including IT director, head nutritionist, gym teacher, arts integration specialist and para-educator, while also juggling a caseload of adult learners who are new to the virtual space. All to say: If Emmie shares that there has been what sounds like excessive ‘screen time,’ that is to be expected during this somewhat bumpy transition. Related: Can you speak to Emmie about properly handling expensive equipment? And can you also put a new pair of headphones in the Amazon cart at lunch? Her former school still likes to do a daily video conference call to ‘check in’ and once you’ve experienced the audio of 25 seven-year-olds on a Zoom call, you realize headphones are essential equipment.